
Glass J. 
Book_ 



/ 



1/ 

BENEDICT ARNOLD'S 



REGIMENTAL MEMORANDUM BOOK. 



WRITTEN WHILE AT TICONDEROGA AND 
CROWN POINT, 1775. 



Reprinted from 

The Pennsylvania Magazine of Histoht and Biography, 

Volume VIII., 1884. 



w 

PHILADELPHIA: 
COLLINS, PEINTER, 705 JAYNE STREET. 

1884. 

H - 












«? 



BENEDICT ARNOLD'S REGIMENTAL MEMORANDUM 

BOOK. 

Written while at Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 177.">. 

[Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book, written while at 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 1775, was some years ago in the posses- 
sion of a lady living in the western part of Pennsylvania. Since thai tune 
it has been lost, but before this happened. Prof. W. H. B. Thomas tran- 
scribed it. and we are indebted to him for the use of his copy for publication. 

The events of which it treats are among the most important in the 
annals of the Revolution, while the subsequent career of its writer gives a 
mournful interest to all connected with that portion of his life in which his 
devotion to his country was unquestioned. It has been said that depriving 
him of command on the lakes " was the first of a series of acts of injustice 
which resulted in his inexcusable crime." We cannot agree with this con- 
clusion. His own self-wilfulness was the cause of his removal, and led 
eventually to his everlasting disgrace. It would be an act of insignificance 
to reflect on one who has fallen so low in human estimation as Arnold has, 
were it not that the brilliant qualities he at times displayed are calculated 
to make us lose sight of a violent and unprincipled nature, which would 
cause the downfall of any man who possessed it, and attribute his short- 
comings to disappointments engendered by the injustice and narrow- 
mindedness of the authorities he served. That our readers may understand 
the circumstances under which the following memorandums were written, we 
will as briefly as possible review those which led Arnold to Ticonderoga 
and to his removal from command. 

Immediately after the battle of Lexington, he marched from New Haven 
for Boston with a company of militia he commanded. On the way he met 
Samuel Holden Parsons, who was returning to Hartford from Oxford, Mass. 
The latter was deeply concerned, regarding " the defenceless state" of the 
camp at Cambridge, and the want of heavy cannon for the siege of Boston. 
Arnold gave him an account of the state of Ticonderoga, and told him 
''that a great number of brass cannon were there." It does not appear 
from the evidence we have that either party then proposed that an attempt 
should be made to capture these stores. It would be fair to presume from 
what we know of Arnold that he would have coupled such a proposition with 
the information he communicated to Parsons, and in the absence of anything 
to the contrary the credit of having done so should be accorded to him. lie 
never, however, claimed having first conceived the idea, and Parsons wrote 
on June 2, 1775, after describing his interview with Arnold, in the words 
we have quoted : " On my arrival at Hartford, Col. Sam. Wyllys, Mr. Deane, 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

and my fM first undertook andproji cted taking thai fort [Ticonderoga],and 
with the assistance of three other persons procured money, men, etc., and sent 
i.nt on this expedition without any consultation with Assembly or others." 
This party was organized the latter part of April. As soon as Arnold 
arrived at Cambridge, lie proposed to the Massachusetts Committee of 
Safety a scheme similar to that which Parsons had set upon foot, and i d 
May 3d was commissioned as colonel with authority to enlist a body of i 
not exceeding -too in number to carry out his designs. These troops were to 
be raised in the western part of Massachusetts and t li < - and 

Arnold at once repaired to Stockbridge. There he learned that the Con- 
necticut leaders had gone forward to surprise the fort, with the intention 
Hi' railing to their assistance the inhabitants of the New Hampshire 
Grants. Leaving an officer to enlist men, as directed by the Massachusetts 
Committee, Arnold pushed on and overtook the Conuectiout party at I 
tleton. It then consisted of a small number from Connecticut, a portion of 
a Massachusetts regiment under Colonel James Easton, and the Green 
Mountain Boys under Ethan Allen. Arnold exhibited bis commission, and 
in an imperious manner claimed command of the expedition, informing the 
officers that they " had no proper orders." The men heard of the dispute, 
and threatened to return home if their leaders allowed tin' to be 

superseded. Their conduct had the effect of quieting Arnold, and he 
accompanied them as a volunteer. After the fort was taken he . 
pressed his claims, but they wen' disregarded, and the Connecticut Com- 
mittee gave Allen command of the fort. The first entry in the Memoran- 
dum Book evinces the chagrin Arnold felt at the treatment he bad n ei i 
In his letters to the Continental Congress and to the Massachusetts Com- 
mittee of Safety, he intimated that. If had Bgreed with Allen that ali or 
should he issued by them jointly, but the testimony of the Connecticut Com- 
mittee is overwhelmingly to the contrary. They wrote to the Massachusetts 
Congress thai he caused them much difficulty. That while he claimed 
authority to command he laid not enlisted one man. nor did they know 
that he could do so. Arnold's pretensions seem to have been based upon 
1 i rounds. He appears to have thought that the troops which 

would surely fellow him should entitle his commission to an immediate recog- 
nition. This might with some reason have been expected from hasten and 

his men who were from Massachusetts, but why troops from Connecticut 
tin- New Hampshire (irants, paid by Connecticut, and engaged in an expedi- 
tion against a fortress in New York, should feel called upon to acknowli 
a. Massachusetts commission we are unable to understand. Hut Arnold 
a man who. throughout his whole life, interpreted the circumstances with 

which he was confronted so as to make them accord with his own views. 

Four days after the capture of the fort a small body of men. who had been 
enlisted under the authority given to Arnold, arrived at TicOllderoga; The) 
came by way of Skenesborough, and brought with them a captured sh 
With this little force he fitted out an expedition against .St. John. T, 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

he secured some valuable stores, and destroyed a number of batteaux. His 
command was subsequently increased until it numbered one hundred and 
fifty men. With these he took post at Crown Point, which had been cap- 
tured a few days alter Ticonderoga, organized a fleet and began to send 
cannon to Cambridge. As his importance rose Allen's waned. The Green 
Mountain Boys soou returned to their homes, and on May 27th Arnold wrote 
that Allen "had entirely given up command." 

Arnold's exertions at this time were certainly of great value to the cause 
of Independence. He was not only carrying out the chief objects in view 
when the expedition against the fort was projected, but was strengthening 
all the posts talcen to prevent their being recaptured. The expediency of 
an expedition against Canada was also suggested to him, and emissaries 
were engaged to learn how far the inhabitants of that province sympathized 
with the colonies represented in Congress. Had he had authority for what 
he was doing, or had ho acted upon his own judgment in the absence of any 
authority to the contrary, nothing but credit could be awarded to him. Bat 
the more closely the reader examines into the subject, the more thoroughly 
will he be convinced that Arnold's conduct amounted to insubordination, 
and that had all who chanced to End themselves situated as he was — removed 
from the immediate presence of their superiors — acted with like indepen- 
dence, all organized opposition to Parliamentary oppression would have 
crumbled into dust. 

The capture of Ticonderoga. indeed, appears to have startled the country 
as much as did the battle of Lexington, and what to do with the prize was 
a question of serious importance. As soon as the Provincial Congress of 
Massachusetts learned that it had been effected by troops in the pay of 
Connecticut, they surrendered all jurisdiction in the matter to that colony, 
and in a letter to its Assembly asked that any cannon that could be spared 
should be sent to Cambridge, suggesting that Arnold should be appointed 
to bring them, as that would likely settle any dispute that might have 
occurred about rank. To Arnold they sent a copy of this letter, and on the 
22d of May told him that their attention was so occupied with affairs at 
Boston, that they had asked Connecticut to attend to those at Ticonderoga. 
The members of the General Congress at Philadelphia approved of the 
capture when they heard of it, but as they had not then taken any steps 
towards the formation of the Continental Army, they recommended the 
authorities of New York, in whose territory the fortress stood, and who had 
applied to them for advice, to take charge of it, and to ask what assistance 
was necessary from the neighboring colonies. New York, not feeling that 
she could give the matter the prompt attention required, asked the Govern- 
ment of Connecticut to garrison the post and appoint a suitable person to 
command until she could furnish the necessary troops. Acting upon this 
invitation, Governor Trumbull directed Colonel Hinman to proceed to 
Ticonderoga with one thousand men. When Hinman arrived there, Arnold 
would not yield up his command, but compelled him to receive his orders 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

through a Captain Herrick that he had put in charge of the fort, while lie 
(Arnold) remained at CrowD Point. 

Up to this time Arnold had retained the confidence and respect of the 
rulers of Massachusetts and Connecticut. It was not possible, however, for 
the Congress of Massachusetts to overlook his wilful disregard of their 
wishes that affairs on the lakes should be under the direction of Con 
ticut, and a committee was appointed to proceed to Crown Point, with po 
to inquire into his conduct, examine his accounts, discharge him from the 
service if it saw fit, and to insist upon his serving under Hinman it' bis 
commission was continued. " When the Congress of the colony of Mo 
chusetts Hay," wrote Walter Spoouer to Governor Trumbull, " were informed 
that your Government had sent Colonel Hinman to Lake Champlain with a 
thousand men to defend the important posts there, it was wit 1 1 the deepest 
concern that they saw that he was not commander-in-chief of those fortresses 
and their appendages, and immediately dispatched a committee whereof I 
have the honor to be chairman to let the commander of their forces know, 
that it was the expectation of our Congress, that the commander-in-chief of 
the Connecticut forces should be over our officers anil privates." 

When the committee showed their instructions to Arnold, ho was, to nse 
the moderate language of their report, " greatly disconcerted, and declared 
he would not be second in command to any person whomsoever, and after 
some time contemplating upon the matter resigned his post . . . and at 
the same time ordered his men to he disbanded." His letter of re 
was, to say the least, disrespectful in the extreme, ami. if we are to be 
the testimony of the committee and others, his conduct was de f the 

most severe censure. It is stated positively that Arnold and some of his 
men got on board of their vessels, drew out into the lake, and fired upon the 
committee as they were returning from Crown Point, to Ticonderoga, and that 
officers who went from the latter place to endeavor to persuade the men to 
re-enlist, were by Arnold's orders confined on the vessels and guarded by 
men with fixed bayonets for half a day. 

The entries in the original manuscript are not in all cases in chronological 
order. That they may be bettor understood, we have printed them so. 
and have indicated by footnotes the positiou of each part in the original. 
— Ed. op Mao.] 

31ay\0th. When Mr. Allen, finding he liad a strong party, 
and being impatient to control, and taking ambrage ;tt my 
forbiding the people to plunder, he assumed the entire com- 
mand, and I was not consulted for four days, which time I 
spent in the Garrison. 

N. B. As a private person often insulted by him and hist 
officers, often threatened with my life, and twice shot at by 
his men with their Fusees. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

This day Colonel Eaton 1 taking umbrage at my refusing 
his Lt. Colonel's .... [commission?] set off for the 
Congress with an announced intention to injure me all in 
his power. 

Sunday \Uh. 2 The Schooner Liberty arrived at Ticonderoga 
from Skensbo. 3 with Captain Brown Oswald 1 and about 50 
men enlisted on the road. We immediately fixed her with 
four carriage, and six-swivel guns, and proceeded to Crown 
Point with 50 men in the Schooner, and one Battoe with 
two Swivels where we arrived the 15 th . 

N. B. Dispatched Mr. Brown to Albany, and sent forward 
provisions, &''. 

Tuesday 16th. Left Crown Point for St. Johns with a head 
wind, and beat as far as Split Eock that night. 

Next day. 

Wednesday 11th. Wind being fair proceeded within 30 
miles of St. John at point Au Fare, when, being cautioned, 
we maned out two Battoes with 35 men, and after rowing 
all night arrived at St. John's Six Oclock Thursday morning, 
where we surprised and took a Sergeant and his party of 12. 
men the Kings Sloop of 70. tons 6. brass six-pounders, and 
seven men. 9. large Battoes, 4 of which, being out of repair 
we destroyed, the others brought away. The wind springing 
up fair at 9 Oc'k weighed Anchor and stood up the Lake, 
and at noon met Colonel Allen, and his part of 100 mad 

1 James Easton. 

2 Arnold wrote, under this date, to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety : 
" Mr. Allen's party is decreasing, and the dispute between us subsiding. I 
am extremely sorry matters have not been transacted with more prudence 
and judgment. I have done everything in my power, and put up with many 
insults to preserve peace and serve the public. I" hope soon to be properly 
released from this troublesome business, that some more proper person may 
be appointed in my room." His letter will be found in Force's American 
Archives, 4th series, vol. ii. 584. 

3 Skeuesborough. It is spelled in a number of ways throughout the manu- 
script. 

4 Captains Brown and Oswald. The former was probably Jonathan 
Brown. See Arnold's letter of May 19, American Archives, 4th series, 
voi. ii. 645. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Booh 

fellows going to take possession of St. Johns, and not being 
able to pursuade him from so rash a pui pplied him 

with provisions & c .' 

177."). Friday, May 1M. At 4. A.M. crossed Cumberland 
Bay with the Sloop and Schooner, and at 8. A.M. anchored 
at Crown Point two hours, and proceeded to Ticonderoga 
where we arrived at 5. P.M., and, having saluted the Port, 
came to Anchor. 

Saturday -0/A. Were employed in fixing and arming the 
Schooner. 

JSf. B. Dispatched Capt. Oswald, to Connecticut, and I 
taib Brown to Cambridge with advice, taking the Sloop, & c . 

Sunday 21st. Rode out two miles to the mills to 
quantity of plank for carriage hoards and Battows to carry 
the cannon over Lake George. When at the landing re. 
ceived advice of Colonel Allen's Depot at St. Johns, and 
return with a loss of three men, which in least did nut Bur- 
prise me, as it happened as I expected. 

Returned to the Fort, and made preparation to forward to 
Crown Point. 

Monday 22d. Proceeded from Ticonderoga to Crown Point, 
with the Sloop and Schooner, and ahout eighty men, where 
we arrived before night. 

Tuesday -■'«}. All hands employed at fixing the Sloop, 
Schooner &'' putting them in the best posture of defence. 
Ahout noon had intelligence from one Butterfield of Colonel 
Aliens party, who was left behind, thai he left St. John's 
the 19 th inst. where there was then 300 Regulars, Cana lians 
& c making all possible preparation for crossing the Lake, on 
which I sent Expresses to Fort George and Skensborough 
for the people to muster and join us. At 6. P. M. Mr. Adams 
who left St. Johns the 19"' inst. arrived and says there was 
only 120 men who attacked Allen, and then same day 

1 Arnold's letter, written from Crown Point, May 10, to the Mass. Com 

mitti I' Safety, L'i-.vs a full account <>f hia expedition to St. John's. It 

was carried by Captain Browu, as mentioned in entry of the 20th. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

marched to Cbambly. 1 When they were repairing the Fort, 
on this intelligence, I sent forward to countermand my former 
Orders. N". B. Wrote to the General Assembly of Connec- 
ticut, and Committee Safety, Cambridge. 

Thursday 2-ith. 2 All hands employed in arming the Sloop, 
and Schooner. Arrived here Col. Webb, Mr. Dean, Capt. 
Bull, and sundry gentlemen and seamen from Hartford. 

[Thursday] 25th. Mr. Dean, Col. Webb, & c set out for Tic. 
Wind proving contrary they returned. We were busy get- 
ting down some cannon, Mortars, & c clearing out the N. E c 
Redoubt, &° and arming the vessels. 

Saturday 21th. 3 Were joined by 20 men enlisted by Cob 
Allen at the request of Col. Webb, these are the whole of 
his party, all hands employed on Guard, fixing Sloop, 
Schooner, & c and getting down Cannon. 

Sunday 28th. Employed on the Sloop Schooner, Guard, 
char* Stores, & c & u . 

Monday 29th. Employed as the day preceding. 

Tuesday oQlh. Employed as the two preceding days Received 
my .... Bill of an £150. from Thomas Wells Dickerson, 
and drew on the Committee Safety for the balance due me 
£77 13, 4." 

1775. May 31. Wednesday. All hands were employed on 
Guard, fixing the vessel & c 30. men of Capt. Bulls Company 
arrived from Stillwater including officers. 

1 All preceding: tin's is on the first page of the original manuscript. The 
first entry in it is that dated May 19th, and the manuscript continues from 
there as printed to where the reference to this note is inserted. The entry 
dated May 10th begins at this point, and what follows is in the order given 
above. The last entry on the page is that of the 17th, and after it a page 
is said to be missing in the original. The last paragraph of the first printed 
entry is all that is dated May 10th. What precedes it in the original closes 
that of the 23d. 

2 The 24th came on Wednesday. In Arnold's letter of the 26th, he 
writes, eight gentlemen having arrived from Hartford, who are seamen, etc. 
etc. See American Arrhives, 4th series, vol. ii. p. 714. 

3 In the copy from which we print, this entry is dated Thursday 26th and 
Saturday 27th. The former is obviously an error. 

4 End of page 2 of manuscript. 



Benedict Arnold's J\ ' .11 morandum Book. 

.X. B. Sent a Boat with Sergeant Armstrong with 5 men 
on a Scout to St. Johns. 

Friday 1 1st Jane. Arrived here part of Capt. Welle Camp,v 
20 men from Cambridge with 20. men including officers. 
Arrived here Mr. Henry J. Bogert sent by the Committee 
Safety at All/any to take charge of their Stores of Provisions 
at Fort George, and an inventory of Cannon &' here, sent a 
boat to Raymonds Saw-mills for Boards to repair the Bar- 
racks & c , a number of men employed getting down Cannon 
15 men were employed digging in the ruins of the old Fort 
who got out near one ton of Lead and Iron Ball, sent a 
Battoe Tie with Mr. II. J. Bogert, Mr. Elphinston the Con- 
ductor his wife and seven men Captain Benicks 2 Camp. 

Friday 2d Jane. 20 men employed in getting down Can- 
non and as many digging for Ball & c Cur Seamen busy in 
making Sails and fixinsc Battoe Sent a Battoe to Ciiion 
River, arrived here Lieut. Garrison from Saratoga with 10. 
men. 

Saturday June Bd. 20. men employed getting down Cannon, 
digging ball & c fixing Battoes and 8. Carpenters em] loyed in 
repairing the Barracks received 2 m feet Boards from Ray- 
monds mill 441 a . 10. d. nails from Annis, 3 and sent 22-i 11 to 
Tic and 600 feet of Board to repair the Barracks, Took into 
service a large new Battoe of Fensis and sent her to Tic for 
men and provisions. Col. Allen left this and went to Tic, 
arrived Sergeant Jonah Sanborn who was sent out on a Scout 
to reconoiter the 28 lh of May who when about two miles 
below He Anow 4 was chased and tired on by an number of 
people in two Battoes, say 20, and obliged to run on Shore. 
The enemy took the Cannon, and he was relieved and brought 
in by the Canadians. Sent Capt. MTvenzie in his Battoe to 
Raymonds mill for Boards. 

Received on Board 4bbls: Fork for Tic, and sent 2 into 
Store, received Id Nails of Watson. 6 

1 Thursday. 2 Samuel Herfick. 

3 Probably Alvis. * Isle Aux Noix. 

6 Probably John Watson, half-brother of W. Uilliland, a large land- 
holder in the neighborhood. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Booh 

Sunday 4th June. All hands employed in fixing boats to 
proceed down tlie Lake. Received and borrowed of Mc- 
intosh a barrel of New Rum. Took on hoard from the 
store 6. Barrels of Flour, and One Barrel of Peas. Sent a 
Boat to Raymonds for Ash for Oars and Troughs for the 
Guns. At 10 A.M. the Wind sprang up to the Southward, 
the whole Garrison were paraded, and -40 men were drafted 

out to Garrison, the remainder immediately embarked 

to No. loo men on Board the Sloop Schooner and three Bat- 
toes, including the Seamen, Mariner's & c , on board before. 
At 3 P.M. weighed Anchor and proceeded down the Lake 
with a small Breeze. Sent on shore one cask of Powder to 
be divided among at night. Anchored at Button Hole Bay 

10 miles from Point, where we lay all night. 

Monday June bth. At 4 A. M. weighed anchor, and pro- 
ceeded down the Lake, at 10. went on Shore at Bay 

at Hay's Plantation. Examined his large Battoe which I 
found very badly built, small Timbers, weak and unfit for 
any hard service, though I found two small Craft, which I 
dispatched the day before in quest of one. 

1775. June 5. One Capt Grant who, though under 

his Parole of Honor, had left Crown Point the day before, 
they informed me, they had got 10 Leagues the Start of 
them, and they could not possibly come up with them. 
There I met with one Host, an Indian Interpreter, whom I 
had sent with some Stockhridge Indians to Kauknowaughua, 
as an Interpreter, he informs being near St. Johns the In- 
dians insisted on going directly there, and, being fearful of 
being taken prison, was put on shore and proceeded to Kauk- 
nowaughua, where there was search made for him by Gov. 
Carlton, and he narrowly escaped being taken, and says the 
French informed him the Stockhridge Indians were im- 
prisoned at Montreal, but on the intercessions of the other 
Indians were set at liberty. That Gov. Carlton was at Mon- 
treal, ami threatened the inhabitants that unless the mer- 
chants would defend the place he would burn it, and retire 
to Quebec. The Canadians and Indians utterly refused join- 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Bool: 

ing the Kings troops, and that there was 300 Regulars at St. 
Johns & c at7. P. M. anchored opposite point Aroach. 1 

Tuesday Jane 6th. At 4. A. M. weighed Anchor, at 8 passed 
Point Aseu, 2 at 10. AM. Anchored off Hospital Island 62 
Leagues from St. Johns, sent a Battoe, 20 men, in search 
one swivel, & c & c Cannon 3 men, the two latter as advanced 
Guard to the Aux Noix with directions to get all possible 
intelligence, and in the night to proceed within two miles of 
St. Johns, and, if possible to take any party sent out from 
there. Employed a number of hands on shore baking bread 
at night, but of Capt. Varnums with 4 men to go on the 
cast side of the Lake opposite St. Johns and discover the 
town of 3 

177"). Wednesday June 7. Motions of the enemy at 4. P M. 
The large Battues returned from there, the small canoes hav- 
ing proceeded within one mile of St. Johns. Was informed 
there was 300 Regulars and soon after they were chased by 
a Battoe and obliged to return. And they also informed us 
that the Regulars were determined to pay us a visit the next. 
day, sent out 3 small boats, different scouts, for intelligence 
and put ourselves in the best position of defence. 

Friday* June Sth. At 8 A. M. our small yawl came in from 
St. Johns and informed us that they lay three hours opposite 
the barracks, where the Regulars to the number of 300. men 
were entrenching. Our people fired two shot at them which 
was returned by the whole body. 

iV. B. Wind has been strong to southward for three days. 

All hands employed baking Bread, getting Timber for 
Oars, & c , N. B. Gave one bbl : of Flour to Monsieur Conderet 
who brought a party of our men to C'u Point, who had their 
boat taken away. 

Friday June 9th. At 5. A. M. weighed anchor for C'n 
Point, Schooner & two large Battoes. Left one battoe with 
one sergeant and two men to bring off a French Family. At 
9. met Capt. Brown from the Congress, Lt. John Graham 
with 12. men from Saratoga, the remainder of his party left 

1 de Roche Fendu. 

2 Possibly Isle Asli in t lie river St. Johns. 

3 End of page 3 of manuscript. 4 Thursday. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

at Sea Point. Fair wind at 4. P. M. One of the three 
brothers at night anchored above Highland Bonnet. 

Sat. June 10. At 4. A. M. weighed anchor, and at 5. P. M. 
anchored at C'n Point, and found that Col. Allen, Col. Eastern, 
and Major Elmore 1 had just arrived, and had called. 2 

Called a Council of their officers and others not belonging 
to my Regiment, and sent for Major Elmore, who excused 
himself, on which I wrote the Counsell that I could not con- 
sistently with my duty sutler any illegal counsells, meetings, 
& c , as they tended to raise a mutiny, that I was at present the 
only legal Commanding Officer and should not suffer my 
command to be disputed, but would willingly give up the 
command when any one appeared with proper authority to 
take it. This had the desired effect, and they gave up their 
expectation of Commanding. 

Sunday June 11. "Went on shore early, and gave order to 
have the Guard doubled to prevent any mutiny or disorder. 
Col. Allen, Major Elmore, Easton and others attempted pass- 
ing the Sloop without showing their pass, and were brought 
to by Capt. Sloan, and came in show [shore] and when in 
private discourse with Elmore intruded and insulted me. I 
tooke the liberty of breaking his head, and on his refusing to 
draw like a gentleman, he having a hanger by his side, and 
case of loaded Pistols in his pocket, I kicked him very 
heartily, and ordered him from the point immediately. 3 
Several parties left the Point this day for Ticonderoga, having 
orders from the Committee of Albany for that purpose. 

Monday June 12. 1775. People employed in building Bar- 
acks, digging & c . Sent a scout of 5 men to St. Johns, the 

1 Samuel Elmore of Connecticut. 

2 End of page 4 of manuscript. 

3 The language used here is calculated to leave the impression that it was 
Major Elmore who was assaulted by Arnold, and who acted with so much 
pusillanimity. A letter written from Ticonderoga, June 25th, and which 
we believe emanated with Arnold, says, I had the pleasure of seeing him 
[Easton] heartily kicked by Colonel Arnold, to the great satisfaction of a 
number of gentlemen present, although he was armed with a cutlass and a 
pair of loaded pistols in his pockets. — See American Archives, 4th scries, 
vol. ii. p. 1087. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum -Book. 

Albany Company of men received Orders from the Com- 
mittee to return to Fort George, and accordingly embarked. 
I went to Ticonderoga. Sent a Boat to the mill for Boards. 1 

177"). June 13. Tuesday. Sent Capt. Oswald expressed to 
the Continental Congress. 2 The Boat returned from the mill 
with boards, sent her to Ticonderoga. The people employed 
getting Oars, refitting Barracks. Sent a Boat with Skens 
Negroes to dig ore. Sent a Boat and 20. men to Hay's place 
to bring up his large Battoe. 

Wednesday June 14///. Men employed digging Ball and 
getting Timber, & making Oars and Tents. I went [sent?] 
to Cows Mill a Battoe on the E side of the Lake to cut 
Timber and hunting. The Gunners employed in searching 
and sealing the small guns, Carpenters making Carriages. 
Sent two Boats to Ticonderoga with Capt. Buell, and Lieut. 
Garrison. 

N. B. Blows extremely hard, 1ST. K E. 

Thursday June 15th. Blowing at N. K E. & K E. al 8. 
A. M. Sent a Boat across the Lake for Scout" Tarty. S 
there before. People employed in getting Timber and 
mounting some Lumber. Sent a Party out hunting. 

Friday \6th. Three Boats with all the Carpenters on the 
other side of the Lake, getting Timber for Skids, Ores, 
Wheeles &". Sent to Raymonds Mills for Timber and pro- 
visions for Skine's Negroes. Received a Whale Boat from 
Mt. Usher. Capt. Winnean [Benjamin Hinmanj and Major 
Elmore arrived from Ticonderoga. Sent to Capt. Ilerriek to 
send all the damaged Powder to Albany to he wrought over 
anew. 3 

1775. Saturday June 17. The Garrison employed in getting 
Timber, fixing Barracks, making Oars, and digging. Colo' 

[Hiuman] made a demand of the command here, but 

as he produced no regular order for the same I refused giving 
it up, on which he embarked for Ticonderoga. 

J End of page 5 and beginning of page 7 of manuscript. 

2 On July 11 Arnold wrote to Congress from Albany that he had received 
no answer to this letter. Sop American Archives, vol. ii., p. 1647. 

3 End of page 7 and beginning of page 6 of manuscript. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

Sunday 18th. Blows heavy from the northward. The 
Garrison employed as the preceediug day. 

iV. B. The only show of Rain this two weeks. 

Monday 19th. The wind continues blowing northward, and 
very cold. Sent Capt. Brown in a Petranger' to take for [us| 
as many Gun carriages as the Boat will carry. Five returned 
from a Scout to St. Johns and says there is 300 Regulars 
there, with three pair Cannon, and two Mortars, entrenching 
& c , which is confirmed by Mr. Udney Hay who arrived from 
there this morning. 

N. B. The Garrison employed as usual. Published an 
Ordnance for the better regulation of Suttlers and retailers 
of Liquors, as they were heretofore sold at an extravigant 
price. 2 

1775. Tuesilay Jinle 20th. The Garrison employed in 
building a Guard House, fixing the barracks, and helving 
Axes Hoes, & c N. B. This day lined out an entrenchment 
across the point where I propose mounting 15. 9J Pounders, 
which secures the redoubt and rampart for 2000. men. 

Wednesday 21st. The Garrison employed in fixing Barracks 
getting down and mounting Cannon, the Carpenters at work 
on a Guard House, Wheels, & c and at 6. P. M. Major Elmore 
arrived here with three Companies of men from Ticonderoga, 
arrived Mr. Nicholson, from Philad 1 , Mr. Price, — the latter a 
gent from Montreal. 

Thursday. 22d June. People employed as on the previous 
day. Carpenters turning Carriage Wheels, getting Timber & c . 

Arrived here three gentlemen from the Provincial Congress 
of Massachusetts Bay, viz. named Win. Spooner, Sullivan. 

Friday 23d. Carpenters employed as usual, People on duty 
and sealing Guns. Arrived here the gentlemen from the 
Congress of the Massachusetts Bay Walter Spooner Jedidiah 
Foster, & James Sullivan Esq. to whom I have resigned my 
commission, not being able to hold it longer with honor, 
accordingly wrote Capt. Herrick to give up the command to 

1 Perianger. 

2 End of page 6 and beginning of page 8 of manuscript. 



Benedict Arnold's Regimental Memorandum Book. 

Col. "Winnan [Hinman]. Arrived here the 3. .Miss Skeins, 
Capt. Elisha Sheldon, Capt. John Bigelow, &V 

177-3. Saturday June _I/A. Applied to the Committee from 
the Massachusetts Bay for Cash for Regiment which they 

refused. I am reduced to great extremity, not being able to 
pay off the people who are in great want of necessaries, and 
much in debt. This gives me great trouble to pacify them 
and prevent disturbances. At noon went on Board to Din- 
ner, and while at dinner I was confined in the great Cabin 
by People who manned and sent a Boat after the Commit tee 
from the Congress, who had left this place for Ticonderoga 
about 2 hours before. I complained much of the insult offered 
me, and received for answer that they — personall ill will, 
but were determined to stop the Committee and oblige them 
to pay off the Regiment or at least some part as will enable 
them to go home to their families with honor. At 4. P.M. 
arrived Capt. Mathews with 5. bbls. Pork from Ticonderoga. 
At night came on board Capt. Sheldon and ('apt. Bigelow to 
see me, bad a rumor of an engagement at Cambridge between 
the Regulars and the Provincials in which it is said there is 
many thousand killed on both sides. 

1 End of page 8 of manuscript. 



BENEDICT ARNOLDS 



REGIMENTAL MEMORANDUM BOOK. 



WRITTEN WHILE AT TIUONDEROGA AND 
CROWN POINT, 177.-). 



Reprinted from 
The Pennsylvania Magazine op Histoky anu Bioobafhi 

Volume VTII., 1884. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
COLLINS, PRINTER, 705 JAYNK STREET. 

1884. 



fa* 






